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JT plays loyalty card with Cowboys

Wayne Heming

The lure of leading North Queensland to multiple premiership successes and staying loyal to lifelong mates convinced superstar Johnathan Thurston to knock back an extra $1 million and remain at the Cowboys.

Had Thurston's latest contract been about money, the 29-year-old would be playing in Sydney next year.

"There's no doubt it was the toughest decision I've had to make career wise," said Thurston, who turned his back on huge offers from rival NRL clubs.

"The money wasn't the be-all and end-all.

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"There was a fair bit knocked back to remain in Townsville to stay at this club and potentially finish my career here."

Neither the club nor Thurston revealed any financial details after Cowboys football boss Peter Parr confirmed on Monday the club's marquee player would be staying until 2017.

However, Thurston didn't receive anything like the $5 million he was reportedly offered by Penrith in his new four-year deal with the Cowboys.

With world class props Matt Scott, 27, and James Tamou, 24, both already committed to multi-year deals along with young forwards Tariq Sims and Jason Taumalolo, Thurston sense the Cowboys are on the verge of winning their first premiership since entering the competition in 1995.

"Starting a family, lifestyle, the club, coming to training with the boys we've got and the lifelong friends and best mates I've got here were all part of my decision," he said.

"I've definitely got some unfinished business here and I think we've got a squad who can give it (premiership) a shake over the next few years."

Thurston admitted he had "a few little doubts" after making his decision but after a few days of reflecting he knew it wa the right one for him and his family with his long-time partner due to have their first child in early June.

Parr, who has done exceptionally well to retain the club's big three, said it was a relief to have Thurston's name inked on a new long-term deal.

"We're humbled he has taken less money to remain here," said Parr.

"It means we've got one of the best players, if not the best player in the world for the next five years."

Thurston made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs against Penrith in 2002 and has played 169 of his 198 games for the Cowboys since moving to North Queensland in 2005 when the club lost the grand final to Wests Tigers.

He has scored 56 tries and kicked 471 goals for the club in that time.

The only player to have appeared in every one of Queensland's 21 games during their record seven Origin series wins, Thurston is on target to challenge Darren Lockyer's Origin (36) and Test (59) appearance records, having played 24 games for both Queensland and Australia.